Donald J. Carter

On February 14, 2018, Donald J. Carter, 84, began the next phase of his life by leaving this one behind. No doubt he is creating quite a stir in Heaven, just as he did here. When he left, his wife Linda was beside him at their Dallas home. It is fitting that Don passed on Valentine’s Day: Linda was his Sweetheart of fifty-eight years, and he had a love affair with Dallas that enriched this city beyond what few men could accomplish or did. North Texas knows him best as the man who brought the NBA to Dallas in 1980, but the Mavericks are only the tip of a very large iceberg when it comes to the many gifts “Mr. C” showered on friends and strangers alike. That Don would be irritated by all this fuss over his transition is further evidence of the man’s goodness: He always made an impact on whatever he touched but wanted no glory for himself. In fact, the only limelight he enjoyed was the one at courtside as he, Linda and their family cheered for the Mavericks.

Though as a youth he had never taken his academics seriously, after his discharge from the United States Air Force, Don helped his mother to start their company Home Interiors and Gifts, Inc. At the same time, Don returned to school and finished his education, spent some years with IBM, and then, rather than continuing a conventional career with an established company, chose to return to Home Interiors and Gifts, the direct-sales company that he had co-founded here in Dallas in 1957 with his mother, Mary C. Crowley. He established every operational aspect of the business, and eventually became Executive Vice-President, President, CEO, and then Chairman. Don also founded and was Chairman of Carter Crowley Properties, along with several other companies in the Dallas region. But to call Don an executive in the conventional sense of the word would be to misunderstand the spirit that drove him and the roots that formed him.

Born on July 5, 1933, in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Don endured the ravages of the Depression. Poor and fatherless, he spent his early years up through high school making as much mischief as he could without landing in jail or getting caught. The turning point came with his enlistment in the Air Force, where he discovered discipline. With that awakening, Don also surrendered his life to God, returning to the faith that his devout mother had cherished all her life. This discipline and faith stayed with him the rest of his life. In fact, he wore his faith just as he conducted every other part of his life, naturally and with no pretense. Don exemplified the truest form of religion: He loved God by serving others. That service extended beyond the walls of his office to include the many charities he favored, as well as the stranger who needed help, and it was always typified by the values that generated his success: hard work, attention to detail, perseverance, and high standards. His white Stetson cowboy hat, plain-spoken style, and appreciation for the man in the top row of old Reunion Arena qualified Don as the quintessential blue-collar executive. All those who were blessed enough to deal with him personally or professionally knew that they were dealing with a man who said what he meant and meant what he said.

Many men are viewed as great civic leaders. But the mark of a truly great man is he who earns the admiration of those who know him best, those who watch him when he leaves the office, who know if he continues to serve when no one but family is watching. Though Don devoted himself to business and community causes, his greatest devotion was to his family. It was rare to see him in public without his wife on his arm or a grandchild on his knee. His ever-present smile seemed to widen even more when family was nearby. He not only lavished his loving attention on his mother, wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but he also reveled in the love they gave back to him. Nothing made him happier than to be surrounded by those to whom his heritage of faith, compassion, and service would most directly pass.

The love that others felt for Don, whether from family, colleague, professional athlete, or new-found friend, is testimony to the loyalty and devotion they felt for him. Perhaps the most telling example comes from Dick Motta, the NBA coach Don lured out of retirement with a dream and a handshake. Two years into their professional friendship, someone asked Motta how long he planned to remain as the Mavericks coach. He explained the terms of his commitment to Don by simply saying, “The day he goes, I go.” The time has now come. Don Carter indeed has gone but would not want us yet to follow. This ultimate Maverick would insist that we instead remain here to carry on with the example he has set for us all.

Don Carter is preceded in death by his father Joseph H. Carter, mother Mary C. Crowley, sister Ruth Shanahan and grandson Carter Chance Urschel. He is survived by his wife Linda and their three children Joey, Ron and Christi; Joey’s wife Ivonka, Ron’s wife Wanda, and Christi’s husband Hal Urschel; Their Grandchildren Lee (wife Natasha,) Mary Elizabeth (husband Jon,) Clint, Kimberley (husband Michael,) Kathryn, and Carr. Their Greats: Lucy, Mason, Hannah. Daughter Jeanine, granddaughter Amy.

Memorial gifts honoring Don Carter may be made to the following two organizations:

The Don Carter Family Memorial Fund benefiting Baylor Scott & White Health: https://give.baylorhealth.com/in-memory-of-donald-carter

The Don Carter Family Memorial Fund benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

for Children : Memorial Donation to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 1:00 PM at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas.